Earth Day Birthday at Astoria Hot Springs

Kirk is 2!

No better way to celebrate the Earth and a young boy than with a party at Astoria Hot Springs on the Snake River south of Jackson. The weather was everything that day—snowy, sunny, windy, chilly—and the warmest place was in the hot water. In the pavilion, the food was earth-friendly and toddler friendly with Garden Art Focaccia, Spinach Balls, PB&J, Deviled Eggs, Fruit, and Veggies with Humus and Ranch Dips. Little mozzarella balls with pesto were “Earthlings” and “Sticks and Stones” were pretzel sticks with cubes of cheese. Not many people sampled the water infused with oranges and mint—it was too cold—but the Lemon Yogurt Cupcakes were a big hit even without a candle that could never have been lit. The toddlers—Cosimo, Malcolm, Lennon, and Kirk—had fun and the two hours flew by, pushed along by stiff winds winding through the canyon. Migrating elk made an appearance, moving toward the river, providing a touch of the wild and reminding us all that we share this Earth. Go gentle.

Healthy Dirt Pudding for Earth Day

This Eating Well recipe is a keeper. Who doesn’t like a little bowl of chocolate pudding with a crunchy top? But no need to add gummy worms. You can substitute strawberries and mint to garnish. The chocolate wafers are homemade too, and far better than anything you can find at the grocery store—at least here in Wyoming. These pudding cups were not on the menu at the party—we would have needed plastic cups and spoons to serve—but it was a big hit with the birthday boy when we got home. Let him eat dirt!

Here is the Healthy Dirt Pudding Cup recipe and also the Homemade Chocolate Wafer Cookie recipe. The cookie recipe makes a lot, but you can freeze a log and have it available for warm chocolate cookies anytime you like. Or for an old-fashioned icebox cake. More on that later!